Author: 24newz

Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently proposed that if Canada wants to join the “Gold Dome” missile defense system, it must either pay a staggering $61 billion or agree to become the 51st state of the United States—a demand that has sparked a diplomatic firestorm. Canadian Prime Minister Carney firmly defended the nation’s sovereignty, rejecting any arrangement that could compromise its independence.

This bold proposal has cast a shadow over U.S.-Canada defense cooperation, exposing the difficult trade-offs between national security and sovereign decision-making in an increasingly tense geopolitical environment. Trump’s demand also raises significant questions about the future of Arctic strategy and the cohesion of Western alliances, adding new complexity to the regional power balance.

As North America navigates evolving defense priorities, this development could reshape the strategic landscape for years to come.

Recently, gold prices in Hong Kong have slipped below $3,300 per ounce, weighed down by a stronger U.S. dollar and a decline in safe-haven demand. Despite short-term pullbacks, major institutions like Goldman Sachs remain optimistic about the long-term outlook, projecting a rebound to the $3,400–$3,600 range per ounce. Investors should closely monitor movements in the U.S. dollar and central bank policies to identify timely opportunities in the gold market.

U.S. durable goods orders fell 6.3% in April, snapping a four-month streak of gains. Despite the decline, the drop was less severe than economists had expected. Core capital goods orders—a key measure of business investment—edged up 0.2%, signaling underlying resilience in the U.S. manufacturing sector. This closely watched economic indicator offers important insights for investors and financial markets.

The US dollar has recently found support around the 140 level against the Japanese yen, sparking speculation about a potential rebound. Heightened volatility in the currency pair is being driven by falling Japanese government bond yields and uncertainty surrounding U.S. interest rate policy. If the dollar breaks through key technical resistance levels, it could test the 146 mark in the near term. Traders should closely monitor upcoming economic data and policy developments to position themselves strategically in this shifting forex landscape.

The British pound has shown strong upside momentum recently, briefly hitting a nearly 39-month high of 1.36 against the U.S. dollar, with gains exceeding 8% since the start of the year. Although a short-term pullback has occurred, technical indicators still point to a bullish trend. If the pound holds above the 1.3530 level, further upside potential remains. Investors should closely monitor upcoming U.S. economic data and Federal Reserve policy signals, as these will be key factors influencing the pound’s future direction.

The Bank of Japan has signaled a potential interest rate hike, drawing close attention from global markets. Governor Kazuo Ueda indicated that if Japan’s economy continues to recover steadily, the central bank may consider adjusting its monetary policy. Although the current benchmark rate remains at 0.5%, the Bank has revised its inflation and growth forecasts downward, highlighting ongoing uncertainty in its policy outlook.

With rising global trade risks and increasing pressure from government bond yields, investors are closely watching for the Bank of Japan’s next move. Stay tuned to our in-depth financial coverage for the latest updates on Japan’s economic policy and how it may impact international markets.